My priority is to “preserve option value”.
I agree that DAC technology has reached a point where you can confidently have high conviction in your investment.
for me, that was a Chord Qutest with a 3rd party power supply.
I believe streaming technology will continue to evolve then hit a plateau much like CD transports did and then, with the exception of the super tweaked mega $ stuff, you can get 90-95% of the uber hi end at an affordable level.
For me, that was a Bluesound node 2i.
Yes, there are better DACs and, yes, there are better streamers, but my combo delivers satisfaction to me inside my budget that also allows me $$to upgrade my amp soon currently a Belles Soloist 1 int amp.
What also has been covered here extensively is the issue of a control APP that runs your streamer and music library. I personally don’t get the whole Roon thing and am very happy with the Blous app on the Node.
if you change streamers, you need to change how you manage your music unless you just use the native app.
Unless you have ample discretionary funds or you are a super tweaker with cost no object goals, just wade into streaming as water is fine. It works.
Just like I didn’t spend $4k on a CD transport in 2005, I ain’t paying that for a streamer head today. You may...and that’s cool.
$500 -$1000 for a streamer head and $800 -$2000 for a DAC will get you “there”. Yes, you can do it for less and, yes, you can spend more.
for me, I think I have found the sweet spot.
I agree that DAC technology has reached a point where you can confidently have high conviction in your investment.
for me, that was a Chord Qutest with a 3rd party power supply.
I believe streaming technology will continue to evolve then hit a plateau much like CD transports did and then, with the exception of the super tweaked mega $ stuff, you can get 90-95% of the uber hi end at an affordable level.
For me, that was a Bluesound node 2i.
Yes, there are better DACs and, yes, there are better streamers, but my combo delivers satisfaction to me inside my budget that also allows me $$to upgrade my amp soon currently a Belles Soloist 1 int amp.
What also has been covered here extensively is the issue of a control APP that runs your streamer and music library. I personally don’t get the whole Roon thing and am very happy with the Blous app on the Node.
if you change streamers, you need to change how you manage your music unless you just use the native app.
Unless you have ample discretionary funds or you are a super tweaker with cost no object goals, just wade into streaming as water is fine. It works.
Just like I didn’t spend $4k on a CD transport in 2005, I ain’t paying that for a streamer head today. You may...and that’s cool.
$500 -$1000 for a streamer head and $800 -$2000 for a DAC will get you “there”. Yes, you can do it for less and, yes, you can spend more.
for me, I think I have found the sweet spot.